Chelsea have released four young players as the club prepares for Xabi Alonso’s arrival — a clear signal that the defensive overhaul long demanded by supporters is now under way. The Blues finished 10th in the Premier League last season, a slump driven by a porous back line that conceded 52 goals, the joint-fifth highest in the division. Only eight teams shipped more, and despite scoring 58 goals — the joint-fifth highest — Chelsea’s defence was exposed repeatedly.
The departures, confirmed by the club on Thursday, come after a campaign in which Levi Colwill was sidelined for virtually the entire season through injury, forcing Enzo Maresca and then Liam Rosenior to chop and change. Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah formed the most regular centre-back pairing, but further fitness setbacks elsewhere prevented any consistent partnership.
“Chelsea release four players as new boss Xabi Alonso targets defensive overhaul after conceding 52 league goals.”
Alonso now inherits a defence that urgently needs strengthening. One candidate is Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix, who, according to RMC Sport, may have played his final match for the Eagles. The 26-year-old, a key pillar of Palace’s recent solidity, is reportedly available for a relatively modest £35 million — exceptional value for a Premier League-proven player in his peak years, given Chelsea’s recent spending habits.
Left-back is another pressing issue. Marc Cucurella has submitted a transfer request, with Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claiming he is keen on a return to Barcelona. The Catalan club would need to pay approximately £40 million to secure his services, a fee that would force Chelsea to find a replacement. Jorrel Hato is already on the books as cover, but the obvious solution may be Valentin Barco.
The Argentinian, who arrived at Chelsea from Brighton as a left-back, has already confirmed his departure from the club’s sister side Strasbourg after an impressive 18-month spell in Ligue 1. Barco produced his finest performances operating in midfield in France, but the BlueCo link should smooth any negotiations over a transfer — making the pursuit all the more attractive.
With Lacroix, Barco, and the four departures, Alonso’s defensive rebuild is taking shape. But after a season of chaos at the back, the new manager knows he cannot afford to get it wrong.